Beautiful day even if cloudy for the 14th edition of the Memorial Mario Albisetti in Lugano.
In the beautiful city of Italian Switzerland return to race, organized by SAL Lugano, after the stop of the year 2016.
20km men
There were many interesting names at the start; among them Miguel Angel Lopez (ESP), Yu Wei (CHN), Erick Barrondo (GUA), Nazar Kovalenko (UKR), Tom Bosworth (GBR) and Alex Wright (IRL).
The latter, perhaps the least credited among others, won the race.
Alex Wright (IRL) (one red card), but previously competed for the GBR, comes from an intense activity in the indoor season.
This year has already improved the indoor personal best on
- 3.000m: in 11:15.15 in Dublin (Ireland) on Feb. 5, 2017
- 5.000m: in 18:50.70 in Atlhone (IRL) on Feb. 18, 2017
He expected a good performance, and the result has been achieved.
Another personal best in 1:21:19 (previous 1:21:56 achieved in La Coruna, ESP on May 28, 2016) after a split time od 40:39 at half race.
Second place went to another "english speaking athlete", Tom Bosworth (GBR) (two red card) in 1:21:53 to 34". Also for him a busy indoor season.
Third is the reigning World Champion, Miguel Angel Lopez (ESP) in 1:22:01.
Fourth the Chinese Yu Wei trained in Saluzzo who had come to seek a performance around 1:23:00 after winning last Sunday the 30km in Scarnafigi (ITA). The athlete coached by Sandro Damilano has perfectly accomplished the task entrusted finishing in 1:22:22.
Happy fifth Marius Žiukas (LTU) in 1:22:27, the same time that allowed him to Rio de Janeiro to classify in 26th position.
Twenty-nine athletes at the start of which three DNF and 2 DQ, including, unfortunately, the only Italian athlete in the race (shortly after 11th km): Stefano Chiesa.
Unfortunately, and we deeply regret having to point out, once again our representative does not "pass the examination of the international jury" that today was one of the most qualified: there were four of the eight judges of Rio de Janeiro.
20km women
It was among the favorites Brigita Virbalyte-Dimsiene (LTU) and is quite easily win in 1:32:17 walking on average 4:46/km
A time not too fast for her that exactly one month ago in Adelaide (AUS) he had finished second in 1:30:55.
It was enough in any case to distance Czakova Maria (SVK) of 1:09 (1:33.26).
Third place to Katarzyna Golba (POL) in 1:34:16.
Fourth and a little subdued Aneszka Drahotova (CZE) ending in 1:34:19.
The same applies to Mirna Ortiz (GUA) only sixth in 1:35:47.
Emilia Lehmeyer (GER) gets rather with fifth place his personal best of 1:35:29 (previous 1:36:25 achieved in Andernach, the GER Oct. 8, 2016)
Thirteen athletes at the start, with one DNF and two DQ including the Welsh Bethan Davies (GBR) who had done so well in the indoor season and in Adelaide (AUS) when she arrived 6th in 1:35:47
U20 races
10km men
As expected battle between Zhang Yao (CHN) and Leo Kopp (GER).
Victory to the first in 41:14, while Kopp stopped the clock in 41:29.
For both it is the new personal best.
Zhang Yao had obtained (41:32) two weeks ago (March 4, 2017) in Huangshan (CHN), while Leo Kopp had established in Rome on May 7, 2016 in 42.14.
Third place went to Tzatzumakis Georgios (GRE) in 43:20
10km women
He wins the young athlete coached by Sandro Damilano Ma Zhenxia (CHN) in 45:28
Second place to Teresa Zurek (GER) in 46:46
Third place to Bai Xueying (CHN) in 47:57
Brigita Virbalyte-Dimsiene victory
Brigita Virbalyte-Dimsiene and Ma Zhexia during the race
Men 20km start
Alex Wright (IRL) arrival
Male podium